About My IaidoVerse2.0

(Iaito photo above by Swords of Northshire; photo on the left by Colette Phillips.)

Tom

Welcome to My IaidoVerse2.0.

Major change from Version 1.5:
- "eBooks" section added

"Iaido" = "I" (being present) + "ai" (harmony) + "do" (the way)

As a relatively new/old Iaidoka, the Iaido world was initally quite confusing and it was difficult to figure out if I was heading in the right direction.

From the onset I recognized that there are many different organizations offering instruction in a variety of Iaido styles—this is a "two-edged sword," so to speak. On one edge, it is fantastic to have so many styles available. However, on the other edge, it can be a source of confusion for the Iaido Newbie.

Additionally, I felt there was a gap in online resources in terms of a one-stop website that illuminated my particular Iaido path.

My current focus is on the Seitei Katas.

It is my sincere hope that others in similar circumstances find some value in My IaidoVerse.


It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first.
- Miyamoto Musashi


Seitei Katas

Posted by on April 13, 2024

Seitei Iaido consists of 12 katas that have become a standard around the world for training and gradings. It is also known as the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei's Iaido kata set.

The katas are as follows:

1. Mae (a kneeling suppression kata)
2. Ushiro (a kneeling suppression kata)
3. Ukenagashi (a kneeling kata)
4. Tsuka Ate (a kneeling kata)
5. Kesagiri (a standing kata)
6. Morotezuki (a standing kata)
7. Sanpougiri (a standing kata)
8. Ganmenate (a standing kata)
9. Soetezuki (a standing kata)
10. Shihogiri (a standing kata)
11. Sougiri (a standing kata)
12. Nukiuchi (a standing kata)

Reiho

Posted on April 14, 2024
A chinese dragon

Proper etiquette or polite behavior is highly valued in civilized societies. In the Iaido dojo this is particularly evident during Reiho, the Japanese term for bowing etiquette.



There are two basic categories of bowing:

1. Hajime No Reiho (opening)
2. Owari No Reiho (closing)

While the components and order change depending on whether it is at the beginning or ending of an Iaido class, the bowing primarily consists of:

1. Shomen Ni Rei (bow to the front)
2. To Ni Rei (bow to the sword)
3. Otegai Ni Rei (bow to each other)

Training

Updated on October 7, 2024

I am currently leading Iaido classes at The Rock Kendo & Iaido Club.

Weekly classes are held on Mondays from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at St. Andrew's Elementary School (side entrance), 141 University Avenue, St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador  A1B 1Z4.

Additionally, I train via Zoom with Alexander Cook Sensei and his senior students at Ka Muso Kai (Calgary).

According to Ka Muso Ka, our rich Muso Shinden-ryu (Shimomura-ha Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu) Iaido lineage is as follows:
- Matsuyoshi Teisuke (Shinsuke) Hisanari
- Yamakawa Kyuzo Yukikatsu (Yukio)
- Shimomura (Tsubouchi) Moichi (Seisure) Sadamasa
- Hosokawa (Gisho) Yoshimasa (Yoshiuma) (After Oe Masamichi Shikei)
- Nakayama (Hakudo) (Yushin) Hiromichi
- Danzaki, Tomoaki (1906 – 2003)
- Mitsuzuka, Takeshi (1926 – 2008)
- Yamamoto, Shotaro (1927 – 2013)
- Chris Gilham (1971 - )

(Photo below with Alex Cook Sensei, left, and Chris Gilham Sensei, right, during a Koryu Chuden, or middle level, seminar in Calgary, July 2024.)

Seminar Picture

I recently had the pleasure of attending a Seitei Zoom class with Pamela Morgan Sensei (per the link below).

(Photo below by Valerie Booth, September 2024.)

Iaido

History of Iaido

Random foliage

Iaido dates back to the 1300's in Japan.


It originates from the techniques developed by the samurai to fend off surprise attacks.

Today, the martial art of Iaido also provides opportunites that promote self-awareness and personal growth.

It is truly a way to train the mind, body, and spirit.

  Read More

Links